“Let’s get out there and have some fun!”
We all cheered and took to the field. Dare got second base after Brad realized he was talented at catching balls, while I got a section of grass behind him. Nicky was on first and made a show of it. He bent in half and wriggled his butt as though he was about to act in porn rather than play kickball. He had the body for it, though. His legs went on forever, and his dreads sat in a bun on the top of his head like a black halo. I didn’t miss the appreciative glances he got from not only some of our team, but the other team as well—and they were lesbians.
TheLesbos Dolphinskicked our ass. We put up a good fight, though, and only lost by three runs. Not bad. Brad appeared proud as he hugged Harley, yelling toward all of us, “We’re getting better! I told you the practices helped.”
Madden snorted and winked at me. “More practices, my ass. We haven’t gotten any better since I started, he just found himself some better players.”
I chuckled and nodded at Dare. “He’s always been pretty good at baseball, so kickball shouldn’t be much different.”
“You’re not half bad yourself,” he said as Slater sidled up to him.
“Are you flirting with the new guy?” Slater asked gruffly, a hint of jealousy in that deep voice. I’d seen him around in the practices we’d attended but had never spoken to him. He looked like the kind of guy who was scary to approach, with big shoulders, a serious face, and tall—reallytall.
Madden pouted at him. “Look at those curls. I couldn’t resist.”
I reached up to pat my head and the curls he’d spoken about sprang under my touch.
Madden laughed. “This is my person, Evan Slater. I’m not sure if you’ve met properly yet.”
“We haven’t.” He held out his hand to me, and I shook it as Dare came over from talking to Nicky. “You’re Zayden.” His gaze slid to Dare. “And you’re Fern?”
“Dare,” Dare and I said at the same time, glancing at each other and laughing.
“Right.” He didn’t smile, but his mouth twitched like he was trying to keep a lid on it. “You can call me Slater. Not many people call me Evan, either.”
“I’m one of the few allowed,” Madden said, waggling his eyebrows at his partner.
Slater was either used to his boyfriend or was purposely ignoring him because he continued, “Welcome to the team. Are you coming to have drinks with us?”
Dare glanced my way as though waiting for me to answer. He was considerate like that; he knew I didn’t like drinking. But going out after a game seemed to be more than about alcohol, it was socializing as a team.
“Definitely,” I said with a grin. “It was fun last time we went. Brad made us go.”
“He does that. Then let’s move out!” Madden said in a perfect imitation of Brad’s voice. He was already racing off, past the team and toward the parking lot.
Slater shook his head with a sigh and followed, and I couldn’t help but laugh. Nicky came up beside us and watched them go, a wide smile on his angular face.
“Madden’s one of a kind. They’re complete opposites. I’m surprised how well they work.” He gave Dare a pointed stare. “Slater was straight before Madden. You and he might have something in common.”
“Really?” Dare’s eyebrows rose and he glanced in their direction. The conversation made me realize we hadn’t talked about how he felt being with a man. I had no idea how he was feeling, and I suspected speaking to someone like Slater would help. “I’ll talk with him.”
Nicky nodded. “We’ll meet you at the Sauce Pot?”
“Meet you there,” I said.
Dare and I headed to the MINI Cooper and slid into it. We got comfortable as Dare hit the Start button. I stared out at the blazing sunset that lit up the afternoon sky. It was beautiful, an array of purples and oranges.
“Fern, are you okay being with a man?” I asked, finally forcing myself to look at him.
He tossed me a frown as he pulled the car onto the road. “Of course I am. Why do you ask?”
“I realized I never asked you how you felt about it. It must be strange, thinking you’re straight and now being with me. I have… different parts.”
He chuckled. “You have one different part, Z. A cock instead of a pussy. Everything else is pretty much the same on the outside.”
“I have dangly bits, too,” I joked, and his laughter grew louder.
“Yeah, you have balls, too.”
